Chapter 67. I'll Collect the Debt (2)

The person who came was the youth leader of the Joseon Fellowship. He greeted me with a gentle smile.

"Have you been well?"

"It's been a while, Leader."

I quickly made a bow, and the leader nodded and said,

"I thought you might be here, so I asked downstairs. They said you had returned. I came by to hear about your journey."

"I see."

I thought he had come for something important, but it seemed he had just come for a visit. I was also glad to see a familiar face after a long time. The youth leader pointed at my head and said,

"Looks like you were sleeping?"

I had been lying on the bed, and my hair was flattened at the back. I scratched the back of my head and laughed sheepishly.

"Just a bit tired, so I was lying down."

"Hmm, this time it took about two months, didn't it? I can understand why."

"Indeed, I'm a bit embarrassed. Please come in."

Nodding, the leader followed me inside.

I led him to the table and poured tea from a pot that I had already cooled. He took the cup with a relaxed smile.

"Oh, thank you. By the way, I heard you had a tough journey? I've heard the details."

"Heh, it's nothing. Not really."

I felt a slight pang in my chest as I recalled the hardships of the journey.

'It was tough, indeed.'

In fact, this time was really difficult. I risked my life several times, and the journey itself took almost two months. I guess that's why I felt a bit sluggish.

He drank the cold tea in one go and exhaled lightly.

"Phew, that's refreshing."

"Tea is best when it's cold."

"Right, let's talk about your journey. I'm curious."

"Sure. I'll start with the Black Point."

I began recounting the events of the journey, from the Black Point to the story of the Golden Bear Den.

When I finished, he laughed and said,

"These days, I've been quite stressed, but hearing that you handled things well makes me feel better."

"Is there something wrong?"

"Not exactly wrong, but there have been some complicated matters to deal with."

He looked tired just thinking about it. I asked in a low voice,

"Could you tell me more? What kind of matters?"

"That's the thing. You know Jochasik, the Wind Cloud Sword?"

"I know him, yes."

"Ah, I see. Well, he has a good reputation."

As soon as I heard Jochasik's name, I frowned. It was a name I couldn't forget.

"Isn't he the top swordsman of Hubei Province?"

After falling into the martial world, I had begged and worked as a waiter to save money to learn martial arts at the Wind Cloud Martial Hall.

I thought that without learning at least some basic martial arts, it would be hard to survive in this world.

However, the hall demanded two silver taels as an entry fee, and I counted my money several times. It was far from enough.

I tried to plead for a week's trial, but I was kicked out by a guy who seemed to be an instructor.

'Really, not a good memory.'

When I said I knew him, the youth leader frowned and said,

"He has a good reputation, so I lent him some money. But he's been delaying the interest payments."

"I see."

The fellowship sometimes lends money as an investment, and sometimes it gets stuck, so the youth leader manages it personally.

"So, when I went to check, the hall was in a mess."

"How so?"

"Let's not even talk about it. The entry fee was too high, two silver taels. Who would pay that much?"

"You're right."

The youth leader grumbled. Indeed, two silver taels were too expensive. Even by modern standards, it was expensive.

Two silver taels were worth about 300,000 won, and a modern gym costs only 100,000 won a month. The martial hall charging 300,000 won a month wouldn't do well.

Moreover, it's hard to equate the value of money in this era with modern standards.

'The cost of living is completely different.'

In modern times, prices are relatively stable, but in the Central Plains, prices can fluctuate wildly depending on the harvest, and wages are inconsistent.

Considering this, an entry fee of two silver taels a month was indeed very expensive.

The youth leader put down his teacup and gestured passionately.

"So, I told him to lower the entry fee by half and to accept students on a ten-day basis. Once they start, it's easier to keep them, right?"

"Ah, that's a good idea."

It's like a discount promotion, and it's a good idea.

'Plus, a ten-day trial makes it more accessible. Some people might try it out for ten days.'

Just like a gym, once you start, you're less likely to quit.

"And I suggested setting different prices based on age and offering a free day of training."

"That's a good idea."

I nodded in agreement. Differing prices by age and offering a free trial period are strategies that would likely work well.

"Since then, the hall has seen an influx of students, and the situation has improved. But I'll keep a close eye on it."

"Thank you for your hard work."

The youth leader's face looked as if he never wanted to do this again. Seeing his expression, I thought,

'I might need to ask for some advice when I become a branch leader.'

Even a bad leader is still a leader, and the youth leader seems to have a good business sense.

After chatting for a while, he said it was getting late, and I saw him off. I sat on the bed and thought quietly.

'Thinking about it, this could be a good opportunity.'

According to the youth leader, the entry fee is now half a silver tael for ten days, which seems like a good deal.

The memory of being kicked out was unpleasant, but it's not easy to find a place to learn martial arts with that kind of money. I wanted to upgrade my martial skills while Wijian was learning her trade.

'Let's try the trial training.'

It's free for a day, after all.

While thinking this, I sensed someone in the corridor and opened the door. Wang Xi was standing there, about to knock.

"Ah, you're here? I heard you came back."

"Yes, I was just resting. It's been a while, Miss Wang."

I made a bow, and Wang Xi smiled and asked,

"Do you guys always stay out for so long? It must be tough."

"Well, this time was a bit special."

I shrugged. I heard that some journeys can take over a year, but compared to that, this was better.

'But a year is really hard to imagine.'

I hope I never have to do such a long journey. Wang Xi chuckled and said,

"Hmm... It's not easy, that job."

"By the way, what brings you here?"

"I have this for you."

She took something out of her bag, and I recognized it as the cover I asked her to draw for my autobiography. I nodded heavily.

"Thank you. Wow, it looks just like me."

It was a realistic depiction of my face, with no beautification. I nodded, and Wang Xi looked surprised.

"Do you know how hard I worked to make you look good? At least try to make it look a bit better."

"You didn't make me look good at all. It's just a realistic depiction."

It's like a photo, really.

I placed the portrait in my room and pointed at the bag she was carrying.

"By the way, what are you carrying? It looks heavy."

"Oh, these are art supplies for the Wind Cloud Martial Hall."

I was curious why I kept hearing about the Wind Cloud Martial Hall today. I asked,

"The Wind Cloud Martial Hall?"

"Yes. Jochasik, the top swordsman of Hubei Province, asked me to draw his portrait. I wanted to refuse because I'm busy, but he offered to pay double, so I couldn't say no."

"Double?"

"Yes, so I'm preparing to go there."

Jochasik offered to pay double?

From what the youth leader said, the hall didn't seem to be in a good financial state.

'He was struggling to pay the interest, right?'

How could he suddenly afford to pay double for a portrait?

'Maybe he got some money and is spending it recklessly.'

I had a friend, Ming Shu, who did exactly that. He used to be broke, but one day he started talking about Nasdaq and games in our group chat.

Then, one day, he took us to an omakase sushi restaurant and spent over 500,000 won. We thought he was crazy.

Luckily, two weeks later, he started talking about blue skies and peaks, and he never did such crazy things again.

There are people who can't see what's right in front of them.

'So, maybe the discount promotion won't last long...'

If he spends money recklessly, the hall's financial situation could worsen quickly. I decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

"Miss Wang, let's go together. I was planning to visit the Wind Cloud Martial Hall for training."

"Sure, let's go."

Wang Xi and I chatted as we walked. We mainly talked about the journey.

"Wow... the Golden Bear Den?"

"It's very cute. Well, not really, but its actions are cute."

"I'd love to see it. Can I visit later?"

"Of course."

Right now, it's probably in the Baiyun Escort Agency's garden, happily eating the honey cookies given by Peng Gui. It's really enviable to be able to live like that.

"We're here. Over there."

The sign for the Wind Cloud Martial Hall was visible in the distance, with a large sign next to it.

"Top Swordsman of Hubei Province, Wind Cloud Sword Jochasik"

Wind Cloud Sword, a truly cool nickname.

'Even if I don't like the person, this is one of the top three coolest nicknames I've heard. Let's see. Wind Cloud Escort, hmm... sounds cool.'

I thought I should do some PR to make my nickname like that. I could probably get it done by commissioning a viral campaign at the open hall.

Next to it was another large sign.

"Super Discount Sale"

Above it was a large banner.

"Free 1-Day Trial"

The grand announcements were almost overwhelming. The door to the Wind Cloud Martial Hall was wide open, and inside, there were many trainees.

'They're doing really well.'

If each of these people pays one silver tael a month...

I did the math, and it was a staggering amount. I understood why Jochasik was spending money on a portrait.

'But if I were him, I'd save it as a reserve and use it wisely later.'

I didn't know much about Jochasik, but he seemed to lack financial sense.

Actually, this wasn't uncommon among martial artists. Many who opened martial halls after a lifetime of swordsmanship were in similar situations.

As we entered, a man who seemed to be the head instructor approached and asked,

"Welcome. Are you Master Asanak?"

"Yes, I'm here to draw Master Jochasik's portrait as we discussed."

"Thank you for coming. This way, please. And this person...?"

I made a small bow and said,

"I'm here for the free trial. I'm a friend of Miss Wang."

"I see. Then, this way, please."

The man led me to a side room. There, a tall, muscular man asked,

"Are you here to join?"

"Yes."

I stood straight and confidently. He looked me up and down and asked,

"From your build, it seems you have some martial arts training. May I ask your level?"

"I'm a mid-level escort at the Baiyun Escort Agency."

"Ah."

I left it at that, letting him interpret it as he wished. He nodded and asked with a hint of respect,

"Then, what kind of training are you looking for?"

"I'll decide after the trial."

"I see. But I might be a bit too advanced for you. I'll call another instructor."

"Sure."

I felt a bit of swagger and nodded.

'I'll decide whether to continue after today.'

As I waited, a woman appeared. She had a cold, intellectual demeanor, as if she disliked human interaction.

"Are you here for the trial?"

"Yes."

"Follow me."

She led me to a secluded training area. It was empty, with only a few weapons.

"Am I the only one here?"

"There's no one else."

She answered briefly. Her coldness made it hard to ask more.

'The trainer is too cold.'

I thought the trial might end today. She threw me a wooden sword. I caught it, and she said,

"Let's see your skills. Start with your stance."